Hi everyone, My name is Alex and I live in New Zealand. I own a small business (less than 5 employees) and I design and manufacture industrial LED lighting. I am trying to find an existing Access Order Entry tracking system that I can modify as required to suit my requirements. To date I have drawn a blank I have approx. 2 days experience with Access and while I know what I want I have very little idea when it comes to creating data bases. I have 40 plus years experience with Spreadsheets and some basic macro design, but at 67 I am running out of time to become an Access guru. I don't have a large budget for this and am keen to do some basic development. I am hoping some of you young (or not so young) guys might be able to help me learn the basics. First thing I think I want to do is to create a customer Order Entry Form based on the attached Spreadsheet?................................or find something that somebody has already created. Not looking for it to be free. Accounting software is not flexible enough and does not allow customisation.
Order entry and tracking system (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter AlexT
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We're a friendly and helpful community, so don't hesitate to ask any questions you have or share your own experiences with Access. We're here to support you and help you get the most out of this powerful database program.
To get started, we recommend reading the post linked below. It contains important information for all new users of the forum:
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Cotswold
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I always thought that a syntax error in a program error when you are starting out on a new language was the worst thing to happen.
But happen it does time and time again in every language I've used. It is like opening a door just to find the opening bricked up. I often wonder if there isn't some nasty little bugger who goes round changing the code to all demo and training software to all of the languages.
Maybe have a quick look at the SIMILAR THREADS below. Also, do a forum search for Order Entry, Order Tracking etc, etc. Some do refer to the same Northwind database you are looking at. Also do the same searches on the internet but prefix, or suffix them with MS Access .
Just my opinion, but don't expect too much as many of the Microsoft examples I've seen haven't been the best the best in practical design. Nor good practice in certain aspects, like naming variables.
But happen it does time and time again in every language I've used. It is like opening a door just to find the opening bricked up. I often wonder if there isn't some nasty little bugger who goes round changing the code to all demo and training software to all of the languages.
Maybe have a quick look at the SIMILAR THREADS below. Also, do a forum search for Order Entry, Order Tracking etc, etc. Some do refer to the same Northwind database you are looking at. Also do the same searches on the internet but prefix, or suffix them with MS Access .
Just my opinion, but don't expect too much as many of the Microsoft examples I've seen haven't been the best the best in practical design. Nor good practice in certain aspects, like naming variables.
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Gasman
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It should tell you which one?
Which one is it?, as another user was having issues with the developer version.
Try creating from within Access using the template option.
Trevor G
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Welcome Alex you've come to a great community.
May I suggest that you create a specification to guide you. Sometimes knowing what you want as an end is helpful. As you know what you want it will also help with making sure you don't miss anything. Some basic info like:
what do you want to hold about your employees
What info do you want to hold about your Stock
Do you want supplier info
Customer info
Invoicing
Reordering
Etc
This can help with making sure you don't miss anything. I'd also consider asking one of your employees to check the spec to hopefully confirm you've not missed anything.
Creating a diagram of table headings and field names, and how you want them to be related will help the build and reach each goal.
I know they'll be templates that will be pretty close to what your wanting to tweak but a lot of them may well be locked down.
I'm sure we as a community will help when you get stuck.
May I suggest that you create a specification to guide you. Sometimes knowing what you want as an end is helpful. As you know what you want it will also help with making sure you don't miss anything. Some basic info like:
what do you want to hold about your employees
What info do you want to hold about your Stock
Do you want supplier info
Customer info
Invoicing
Reordering
Etc
This can help with making sure you don't miss anything. I'd also consider asking one of your employees to check the spec to hopefully confirm you've not missed anything.
Creating a diagram of table headings and field names, and how you want them to be related will help the build and reach each goal.
I know they'll be templates that will be pretty close to what your wanting to tweak but a lot of them may well be locked down.
I'm sure we as a community will help when you get stuck.
AngelSpeaks
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I've been importing bits and pieces of Northwind Starter which seems to be more stable. Is Northwind in a trusted location?
GPGeorge
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Some people have resolved the problem by recompiling the accdb. Try that. Also make sure it's in a Trusted Location.It should tell you which one?
Which one is it?, as another user was having issues with the developer version.
Try creating from within Access using the template option.
View attachment 119472
LarryE
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Can you describe your current order entry system for us and if you wish to keep track manufacturing and labor costs as well for each customer build. All ACCESS development is based upon the business process you have. The tables that you create and the relationships between them are the most critical part of any ACCESS build process. No one can make ACCESS behave like a spreadsheet, and the process is very different.
I have some questions based upon the spreadsheet pdf file you attached:
- What is an "Enolt Order" and a "1500mm order"?
- What are Singles, twins and triples?
- Is "Part Number" your inventory part number or your vendor part number?
- What does "Sell Each (GST EXCL) mean
- What does Nett Sell Each (GST EXCL) mean?
- What does "Sell Each (GST INCL) mean?
- What does "Shipping (GST INCL) mean?
- What does "Value of order ex GST On Acct." mean?
- What does "Value of order INCL GST On Acct." mean?
- Is "Tracking #" your number or the shippers number?
Hi Gasman, It is the Developer Version - the Std one loads OK.It should tell you which one?
Which one is it?, as another user was having issues with the developer version.
Try creating from within Access using the template option.
View attachment 119472
Hi Cotswold, I do find it frustrating that something so seemingly straightforward comes up with errors to simply open the program. It never happened in the old days with good old pen and paper! I have spent quite a bit of time looking for readymade options to use or customise but so far have not found anything close to what I am looking for. Most are simply not user friendly and try and either do too much or too little. I am going to create a dummy GUI in something like Powerpoint to demonstrate what I need.I always thought that a syntax error in a program error when you are starting out on a new language was the worst thing to happen.
But happen it does time and time again in every language I've used. It is like opening a door just to find the opening bricked up. I often wonder if there isn't some nasty little bugger who goes round changing the code to all demo and training software to all of the languages.
Maybe have a quick look at the SIMILAR THREADS below. Also, do a forum search for Order Entry, Order Tracking etc, etc. Some do refer to the same Northwind database you are looking at. Also do the same searches on the internet but prefix, or suffix them with MS Access .
Just my opinion, but don't expect too much as many of the Microsoft examples I've seen haven't been the best the best in practical design. Nor good practice in certain aspects, like naming variables.
Hi Larry, Thanks for your questions. I am in the process of creating a more detailed requirment list and had thought I would generate a front screen using Powerpoint or Excel to show what the app needs to do. let me know if you have any suggestions.
A dummy GUI may help you communicate your needs but what you must ensure is that the underlying data structures - tables and relationships - are constructed with proper regard to the principles of database normalisation. Inspecting the table structures for other order entry systems will give you a good guide to what you will fundamentally need. Do not expect excel sheets to translate directly to database tables.
Your answers to @LarryE 's questions will be helpful to enlighten / tease out the need for some of the attributes that belong in the tables. The GST components, for example, are tax rates that belong in a master table and are referenced as needed. The items in an order may / may not be subject to GST or to different rates based upon the government regs.
The singles/twins/triples does seem like some construct that does not need to be repeated for every order. Perhaps some typical but fake data in the excel sheet will help illustrate the data that is used/captured for orders.
Your answers to @LarryE 's questions will be helpful to enlighten / tease out the need for some of the attributes that belong in the tables. The GST components, for example, are tax rates that belong in a master table and are referenced as needed. The items in an order may / may not be subject to GST or to different rates based upon the government regs.
The singles/twins/triples does seem like some construct that does not need to be repeated for every order. Perhaps some typical but fake data in the excel sheet will help illustrate the data that is used/captured for orders.
As a novice with Access you will be taking a learning journey that does not need to be confused by learning additional software. I have not used Figma so do not know it. If it is just used to set out a screen flow/GUI design which does not translate into actually building the software is access then it is not doing a lot for you. Map out your GUI in PowerPoint if that suits - just do not invest much time in making the dummy GUI pretty - it should be focussed on program flow - the links between the screens, and what is done on those screens.
Gasman
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Well try a decompile and compile as alread advised.
mike60smart
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Hi
You can use Word or Excel to indicate the structure you need.
